Quick links

Liverpool midfielder set to captain country for first time this week

Reds star will skipper his side against the Netherlands on Tuesday, as Wales visit Amsterdam to face Louis van Gaal's men.

This season has been so positive for so many people associated to Liverpool Football Club.

Many of the players that took the club to second spot in the Premier League have been rewarded with international recognition, with England youngsters Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Jon Flanagan just three of the men to really benefit.

It isn't just first team players whose international careers are looking up either. Just a couple of days ago, 19-year-old reserve fullback Ryan McLaughlin made his debut as Northern Ireland narrowly lost 1-0 to Uruguay.

And now, former Swansea midfielder Joe Allen is set to become the latest player rewarded with a more integral role in his national team setup, after Wales manager Chris Coleman revealed he was set to lead his country against the Netherlands on June 4th.

It capped an excellent season for Allen, who has taken his time to settle in at a club as big as Liverpool. He managed to feature 24 times for the Reds this season, more than playing his part in the club's second placed finish.

Allen's performances convinced Coleman that the midfielder was ready to step into the captaincy role in the absence of the likes of Ashley Williams and Aaron Ramsey, with the former Fulham boss asking the 24-year-old to deputise earlier this week.

Che Thomas

Che is an Englishman abroad unable to cut the apron strings tying him to the crazy world of English football. As a writer and freelance journalist, he has covered matches and cultural events from across the globe all with the intention to inform, entertain and provoke debate. Just as smitten with music, film, and photography, though fully aware of the fact that nothing takes the place of that Saturday afternoon excitement down at N17 (even when it's actually on a Sunday!)